Leftover Canned Coconut Milk? Use it in One of These 15 Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with canned coconut milk? ›

Substitute coconut milk for dairy milk in your favorite oatmeal, chia pudding, pancake, and waffle recipes. Blend it into smoothie to add a creamy texture or make a coconut milk-based smoothie parfait.

Safe Consumption After Expiration Date

An unopened can of coconut milk may still be safe to consume after the expiration date, provided it was stored properly and shows no signs of damage. It's definitive if the can is undamaged and the contents do not exhibit any signs of spoilage.

Opened canned coconut milk lasts up to 5 days refrigerated. If the can is unopened, it lasts for 2 to 5 years: so the pantry is your best bet for long-term storage! But if you've opened the can, the best way to preserve it is in the freezer, where it lasts for up to 6 months.

Coconut milk may benefit health in several ways, such as by stimulating weight loss and lowering cholesterol. It can also add flavor to sweet and savory dishes and serve as an alternative to dairy milk. Coconut water is the liquid inside a coconut, while coconut milk comes from the fruit's white flesh.

Southeast Asian cuisine does not use any dairy, so when we need things to be creamy, we turn to coconut milk. So aside from using it in traditional Thai recipes, it is a great way to add creamy texture in anything. Here are some ideas: Soups, stews, curries, sauces, and anything saucy and creamy.

Freezing is the answer. The best way to freeze coconut milk is pour it into an ice cube tray, and once frozen, release the cubes from the tray and put them in a Ziploc bag. That way you can use only as much as your next recipe calls for. It will keep for about a month in the freezer.

Coconut milk is a byproduct of a coconut, and its organic nature means that it will eventually turn. Coconut milk lasts for around one week when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and about a month in the freezer.

One of the most popular ways to hide the coconut flavor in your coconut milk is to utilize baking soda.

Coconut milk should be a creamy white color when it's fresh. As the beverage degrades, its hue may lose some of that vibrancy, and it'll shift to a darker or more muted gray color. And, of course, any visible mold or bulges in the can means the entire thing is likely contaminated and should be tossed in the trash.

Can I use expired coconut milk in my hair? ›

If expired coconut milk isn't suitable for ingestion, one could still consider its usage in non-edible forms. For instance, it could be repurposed as a component in a DIY hair or skin conditioner, thanks to its moisturizing properties. This alternative usage ensures that the leftover coconut milk does not go to waste.

Coconut milk is not toxic to dogs and may even offer a few health benefits such as: Helping fight viruses. Improving the immune system. Adding shine to their coat.

Coconut Cream vs Coconut Milk

Compared to normal coconut milk, coconut cream has a much higher fat content, containing around 19-22% fat. Coconut cream still retains the delicious coconut flavor that coconut milk has, but is much thicker as it is essentially coconut milk with less water.

If you buy the right brand it has no additives. If you want, you could just drink the coconut milk from the can. It's delicious! But it's pretty high in fat.

Canned Coconut Milk vs Carton

Carton coconut milk is much thinner and more diluted, making it better suited for drinking rather than cooking. If you're looking for an alternative to drinking dairy products, coconut milk in a carton is the way to go.

Canned coconut milk is widely available and inexpensive. But you will need to stir or shake it. The fatty “cream” will rise to the top of the can over time, creating a dense layer that needs to be mixed back into the watery liquid below.

The Best Way to Store Coconut Milk

This hack is so simple and easy, you'll wish you'd have thought of it sooner! Simply mix up your can of coconut milk, and pour the contents into an ice cube tray. What is this? Freeze overnight, and then you'll have perfect coconut milk cubes ready to go whenever you need them!